Network News

Even after two decades writing about the personal finance aspects of housing, Elizabeth Razzi finds there’s always more to talk about. Buying and selling, improving, insuring, squabbling with the homeowners association -- whatever the housing topic, let this be your virtual back fence.

J.P. Morgan Chase is opening a loan modification center in a fifth-floor office at 1350 I Street, N.W., in the District, near the McPherson Square Metro station. Anyone in the Washington area with a loan serviced by Chase, Washington Mutual or EMC can go in and ask for help saving their home.

One of the benefits to being married is that in many states, including the District, Maryland and Virginia, couples can choose to take title to their home as "tenants in the entirety." It means that each person is 100 percent owner of the house. More gay couples who marry elsewhere and live in Washington, D.C. -- and those thinking of moving here -- will probably be able to take advantage of that protection soon.

Attorney General Eric Holder had this message for people and companies engaged in ripping-off homeowners on the verge of foreclosure: "If you prey on vulnerable homeowners with fraudulent mortgage schemes, or discriminate against borrowers, we will find you and we will punish you."

"I've had two contracts fall through because the house appraised for lower than the sale price and the sellers would not sell at the lower price. Do you recommend, in this market in which no one really knows the value of anything, doing an appraisal on a property before submitting an offer? Yes I know it's expensive, but I'd rather spend 500 bucks on a property I am seriously considering than waste three months of my time only to see another contract fall through. How else are we supposed to valuate a property in this climate?"